Police officers wore respirators and biohazard suits as they started sifting through garbage on Wednesday.

Const. Jason Michalyshen, who showed reporters the search area, said it could last three to five days.

"Our commitment to Tanya and the family — and certainly the relationship we have developed with the aboriginal community and the elders that have directed us to this location — our commitment is to complete this search," Michalyshen said.

Lamb, 52, was charged in June with second-degree murder in the deaths of Nepinak and two other women who went missing in Winnipeg.